Scunthorpe Telegraph urge M&S not to shut its Scunthorpe store
THE Scunthorpe Telegraph has gone straight to the top in a bid to save the town's Marks & Spencer store.
In an open letter, penned by editor Mel Cook, Marks & Spencer is being encouraged to look at projects in the region "which will strengthen the local economy long into the future".
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PROTEST: Glyn Sparks signs a petition to keep Scunthorpe's Marks & Spencer open with Telegraph reporter Simon Wright.
Sir Stuart Rose, chief executive of Marks & Spencer, is asked to consider investments coming to North Lincolnshire and recognise the local strength of feeling after more than 3,000 people signed a petition to save the store.
Among the money-spinning projects being developed by North Lincolnshire Council are Able UK's £400-million marine energy park, the Lincolnshire Lakes project and the South Humber Gateway.
Mr Cook said: "This area has been hit by a lot of closures and job losses and there comes a point when something has to be done to stop this exodus from the town.
"M&S is an iconic brand and, therefore, it is vital we do all we can to retain its presence in Scunthorpe.
"The future of North Lincolnshire is looking bright so now is the time for investment rather than withdrawal.
"We will be sending Sir Stuart our coverage to date so he can gauge the strength of feeling."
Able UK is investing in a marine energy park and a super port.
Neil Etherington, group development director at Able UK, said: "Certainly the South Humber Bank has a colossal potential that looks like becoming a reality over the next two to five years. As such, the prospects of retailers in Scunthorpe and the wider region are going to be greatly improved.
"I would welcome Marks & Spencer reconsidering its thoughts for the store and to take into account the bigger economic picture."
The development would increase spending power in the area.
Richard Kendall, policy executive for the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, said: "I hope Marks & Spencer will reconsider and stay in Scunthorpe as we've got amazing potential. More people are going to live here and there will be more highly paid jobs which will bring the types of people M&S want to shop at the store."
Make your views known
Email M&S chairman Sir Stuart Rose at chairman@marks-and-spencer.com and viewpoint@scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk
5 Comments
by C4rleena T, Scunny
Thursday, July 29 2010, 5:32PM
“gud am gl4d coz is were all da posh old bids shop innit.”
by ad, nlincs
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 4:22PM
“Perhaps if these 3k used the shop more regularly it wouldn't be closing?”
by Disillusioned with North Lincs, Forging its Future & Image?!
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 11:33AM
“Phil, Rose has handed over to the new chief executive and I believe that he is staying on as non-executive chairman of M&S until next March.
And besides, surely there could be no more a bigger clanger to drop than the ST and the local movers and shakers coming up with the sloppy slogan 'Forging our Futures' in the immediate aftermath of the local fallout of embarassment and disrepute from the MPs' expenses scandal. Especially its sloppiness in launching the campaign on the eve of the 1st full hearing at SouthwarK Crown Court.
"This is not just sloppy, this is Scunthorpe sloppy" !”
by BJ, out back scunthorpe
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 11:16AM
“TOO LATE SOMETHING SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE YEARS AGO THE MARKS AND SPENCERS IN SCUNTHORPE IS NOTHING BUT A CORNER SHOP IN M&S STORES, MOST FOLK GO OUT OF TOWN TO GET THE UP-TP-DATE STUFF SO THE LOSS IN SCUNTHORPE IS A TINY DROP AS FAR AS THE OVERALL RUNNING OF M & S.”
by Phil, Scunthorpe
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 10:42AM
“How embarrassing!
Marc Bolland is the CEO of M&S, not Sir Stuart Rose.
Very, very sloppy of the Telegraph Editor to drop a clanger as big as that one!
Will he letter of apology be public?”